NYC Gangs? (Inwood, Jay: safe area, middle school, college)

[Dark of the Moon]

Probably best answered by Hustla, but I'd appreciate info from anyone who knows .....

A number of the students at the S. Bronx high school where I teach are openly affiliated with gangs. The one I hear mentioned most often is the Latin Kings -- how dangerous are they?

In my Inwood neighborhood, I often see buildings (and the subway station) tagged "DOD" -- what can you tell me about them?

Thanks!

[SuperMario]

The latin kings are not as strong as they once were. Many of the LK's are leaving and becoming blood (both rep same flag). Mostly Puerto Rican. Currently they are beefing with the dominican gang Trinitarios. But with all that said, all gangs are dangerous. They are all the same.

Since Inwood is predominantly dominican, DOD may be a DDP or Trini set. It could also be an independent gang. On W 207 st, there's tag that read Dyckman crips. But DOD, I never heard off.

[thf415]

you cant be sure its a gang tag unless you actually see the person wrting it. for all we know it could have been some guys initials that was looking for attention. you have to see it and the person who did it to be sure.

[baylovers]

you have to see it and the person who did it to be sure.

Why is that? Do all gang members look alike?

[jaysuit19]

D.O.D meanz "Do Or Die"
and D.O.D isn't a gang itz more like a crew nd the head of D.O.D is crip thatz y most people think of it as a gang but itz not nd itz not dangerous cuzz I'm in highskool and I noe people and I live in 207st and it has nuttin to do wit v-D.D.P-v Or ^3Niiz^

[DonnaReed]

All the NYC schools are full of gang members.

To hear the media tell it MS13 is the fastest growing gang

but the high schools are full of Bloods and Crips that don't even get along, have different sets and fight each other

If you work in a high school, you'll learn who the gang members are (beads, T-shirts, flags, signing, etc.)

If you have a good relationship with them, they'll tell you.

All gangs are dangerous misguided youth, engage in stupid random violence amongst each other, initiation rites, etc.

They won't mess with you in the school...well it's not likely.

Students who are gang members are more dangerous in and outside of the schools to students.

Some student gang members aren't actively involved in gang banging and steeped in negativity. Some grew up in gangs. It's a way of life, and some are actually trying to graduate, go to college and do something positive with their lives.

[TeaJay]

Originally Posted by DonnaReed

All the NYC schools are full of gang members.

To hear the media tell it MS13 is the fastest growing gang

but the high schools are full of Bloods and Crips that don't even get along, have different sets and fight each other

If you work in a high school, you'll learn who the gang members are (beads, T-shirts, flags, signing, etc.)

If you have a good relationship with them, they'll tell you.

All gangs are dangerous misguided youth, engage in stupid random violence amongst each other, initiation rites, etc.

They won't mess with you in the school...well it's not likely.

Students who are gang members are more dangerous in and outside of the schools to students.

Some student gang members aren't actively involved in gang banging and steeped in negativity. Some grew up in gangs. It's a way of life, and some are actually trying to graduate, go to college and do something positive with their lives.

I don't know that "all" NYC schools are necessarily "full" of gang members. I teach in the Bronx and while there are kids in gangs (Six Wild and the Latin Kings seem to be the ones the kids affiliate with) they are small in number- maybe 7 or 8 kids out of 150 in the class. I currently have a kid who has serious psychological problems who does not belong to a gang, and I think this child poses a much bigger threat to the other students and teachers.

As long as there are fractured and unstable family structures, there will be gangs.

[DonnaReed]

Originally Posted by TeaJay

I don't know that "all" NYC schools are necessarily "full" of gang members. I teach in the Bronx and while there are kids in gangs (Six Wild and the Latin Kings seem to be the ones the kids affiliate with) they are small in number- maybe 7 or 8 kids out of 150 in the class. I currently have a kid who has serious psychological problems who does not belong to a gang, and I think this child poses a much bigger threat to the other students and teachers.

As long as there are fractured and unstable family structures, there will be gangs.

True, not all...but many schools, and I don't mean that the majority of students are gang members, however in most urban high schools gang members are common.

Seven out of 150 is very good

Do you teach high school?

Where area of the Bronx?

Are you familiar so that you know who gang members are and who aren't?

Also, I certainly wouldn't argue that by virtue of being in a gang a student is necessarily dangerous and/or others are not.

Is anybody referring the student you're talking about for help?

[TeaJay]

Originally Posted by DonnaReed

True, not all...but many schools, and I don't mean that the majority of students are gang members, however in most urban high schools gang members are common.

Seven out of 150 is very good

Do you teach high school?

Where area of the Bronx?

Are you familiar so that you know who gang members are and who aren't?

Also, I certainly wouldn't argue that by virtue of being in a gang a student is necessarily dangerous and/or others are not.

Is anybody referring the student you're talking about for help?

I'm in a middle school not far from Yankee Stadium. It's a very small school, and I have taught and/or have known many of these kids since they were in sixth grade, so by now the teachers and admins are fairly familiar with who's affiliated and who's not. I worked in a larger middle school some years ago, with lots of kids coming from a couple of buildings/projects where the gangs were really thriving.

While the smaller school trend likely helps in terms of identifying kids in gangs, I don't know if it helps as far as extricating the ones who want out. In my first school, a counselor was trying to help a kid whose father was a Blood. This kid was born into it and wanted out, and the police actually warned the counselor against helping him. (This was the late 90s when gang activity seemed a lot more prevalent, though I also wonder if it's still as bad and the media isn't bothering with it.)

I realize that I'm in a bit of a bubble too, working in a relatively quiet and safe school in a not-so-safe area.

As for the other student, all we can really do is keep anecdotal records. He really needs a special ed evaluation, but we are discouraged from doing this because the city gets flack in the media for having a disproportionate amount of kids in special education. My principal is just waiting till the kid graduates in June.

[SILVERBACKGUERILLAZ2004]

Ok Bloods Wear Red , Brown , Green , Black Those R There Colors And Most Wear Vick Jersey. And Latin Kings Dont Get Respect Like That Anymore Crips Wear Pink , Gray , Purple , Black , Blue , Most All Gangs Wear Black When They Dont Wanna Be Know. Black Means Like Univeral